Falmouth is a laid-back city with farmland and river access
Falmouth offers rural scenery and quick access to outdoor recreation. “People move to Falmouth for its small-town feel and friendly atmosphere,” says Katrina Robke Holtmeier, a Realtor with Keller Williams. “This is perfect for the right buyer looking to slow down a bit.” Dennis Kenner, a Realtor with Re/Max Creative Realty, calls Falmouth a “river town.” The small city is located along the Licking and South Fork Licking rivers, both of which are convenient fishing and paddling spots. Some residents leave Falmouth for work, but choose to live here because of the smaller crowds and lower cost of living. “There’s probably more who go to Cincinnati because it’s a little closer, but there are some people who work at the Toyota Plant in Georgetown ,” Kenner says, adding that pay from the region’s major employers goes a longer way in Falmouth than in larger cities or suburbs. “So, it’s worth the drive.”
Housing ranges from ranch-style to ornate Victorian homes
The city of over 2,000 people has many streets with sidewalks. Some lots have gravel driveways, and it’s common for cars to be parked on the streets and even front yards. Tall mature trees surround homes in some neighborhoods. Although homes make up nearly all of Falmouth's properties, about half of the city rents. Houses across Falmouth include ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and Craftsman bungalows. The city also has some Victorian-era homes with ornate stone siding. Depending on size and lot acreage, homes mainly sell from $130,000 to $300,000. Falmouth has a median sale price of $165,000, about $100,000 under Cincinnati’s and nearly $200,000 under Georgetown’s. However, living in Falmouth comes with a small risk. The rivers have a history of flooding, and those buying homes near the water must get flood insurance.
Students may attend Pendleton County schools
Falmouth has Southern Elementary School, which receives a B-minus. Sharp Middle and Pendleton County High are the other public schools serving the area. The middle school receives a C-minus, while the high school gets a C. High school programs include Future Farmers of America, where students may do some gardening and make dishes from the produce they grow. The program also has a greenhouse used to grow potted flowers for sale.
Restaurant options include barbecue and pizza
Many can start their day at Trappy’s Kaffee, which serves lattes and iced coffees topped with whipped cream and other sweets. The cafe is run out of a narrow space, and its decor includes photos of celebrities like Ernest Hemingway and Marilyn Monroe. The Smoking Pig Tavern has downhome cooking, and musicians occasionally come by to provide entertainment. There are also a couple of pizza parlors, including the patriot-themed We the Pizza. The restaurant's patrons may buy classic bottled sodas and play retro arcade games. Grocery shoppers may go to Wyatt’s Supermarket, but they’ll find more stores like Walmart in the Williamstown and Dry Ridge areas, about 20 miles west.
Parks offer playgrounds, nature trails and water sports
One of the city’s outdoor destinations is Pendleton County Athletic Park. Its amenities include several baseball fields, tennis courts and a playground with some slides and exercise bars. The 22-acre park is located along the South Fork Licking River, which draws anglers and kayakers. Kincaid Lake State Park offers another fishing and kayaking spot a few miles north of Falmouth. The lake’s fish include trophy bass, crappie, bluegill and carp. Other park amenities include about 2 miles of wooded hiking trails and the public nine-hole Kincaid Lake Golf Course. There’s also a miniature course for those seeking a more casual playing experience.
Kentucky Wool Festival is an annual tradition
About 30,000 people typically visit the Kincaid Lake State Park area in October for the annual Kentucky Wool Festival. “It’s one of the biggest festivals in Kentucky,” Kenner says. The entertainment includes folk bands and sheep shearing and herding demonstrations. Attendees may also learn to spin or crochet and buy crafts like handmade picnic baskets, quilts and sweaters.
Commuters have direct access to U.S. 27
Many here commute to other cities in the region. U.S. Highway 27 passes through Falmouth and goes directly to Cincinnati, 35 miles north. Falmouth is about 40 miles south of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky International Airport, the region’s hub for commercial flights. Falmouth is also 50 miles north of the Lexington area, home to employers like Toyota. Falmouth residents also need to travel for medical care. St. Elizabeth Healthcare Grant Hospital is in Williamstown, about 20 miles west.
